Loktak Lake in Manipur, the only floating lake in the world

New Delhi: In Manipur, all rivers and rivulets, except for handful converge and meet at Loktak Lake. Like faithful, on pilgrimage; they run the length of the coarse mountain beds, collecting along the way- sediments and fertile soil before laying it at the altar of the largest freshwater lake in Northeast. It is on this bed that a diverse range of aquatic plants and animals thrive without reservation. It is also called the only floating lake in the world due to the floating phumdis. Phumdis are a mass of vegetation, soil and other organic matter that accumulate over a period of time that resemble a landmass that float freely in the lake. The largest floating island covers an area of 40 sq. km. and constitutes the world's largest floating park, Keibul Lamjao National Park. The lake is a very unique tourist destination. There is also a tourist home built on top of a floating island. This ancient lake plays an important role in the economy of Manipur. It serves as a source of water for hydropower generation, irrigation and drinking water supply. The lake is also a source of livelihood for the rural fisherman who live in the surrounding areas and on phumdis, also known as “phumshongs”. Human activity has led to severe pressure on the lake ecosystem. 55 rural and urban hamlets around the lake have a population of about 100,000 people. Considering the ecological status and its biodiversity values, the lake was initially designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on March 23, 1990. But the lake was designated by the Ramsar Convention under the Montreux Record on June 16, 1993 for the reason that, a record of Ramsar sites where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur. On the fringes of Loktak Lake is the world's only floating National Park, the Keibul Lam Jao National Park. It is home to the Manipur Eld's Deer or Sangai also called the Dancing Deer, which has been listed as an endangered species by International Union for Consevation of Nature. This park which was initially declared as a Sanctuary in 1966 was subsequently declared as a National Park in 1977. This national park is always worth a visit because of Sangai, which was once thought to be extinct and for which the park was made. These animals make this little paradise complete with their delicate gait as they pompously negotiate their way along the floating wetlands. Over the past years the lake has shrunk considerably because of human encroachment and the Phumdis filling up the lake. An initiative was taken by the government to save the lake and conserve the unique biodiversity.